Police: 80-year-old man shot protecting his wife

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RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Police canvassed a Northside neighborhood Thursday looking for two men they say shot an 80-year-old man during a robbery attempt in Richmond last week.

Police said the man and his 61-year-old wife were confronted after they got off a bus on Brookland Park Boulevard around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21.

Police said when the would-be robbers approached the couple and demanded money, the man fought back and assaulted the robber. Police said the robbers then struck the victims and ran away.

“The gunman struck them in the head. When the victims felt like they could actually get away, they ran down the street to their residence and were shot at three times,” said Richmond Police Detective Christina Benkahla.

Police said the couple heard gunshots as they ran for safety. Later the husband discovered he had been shot.

Neighbors also heard the shots and one man’s son, who was nearby, called 911. That’s when the man also realized his new SUV’s window had been shot out.

The man’s gunshot wound was minor, but he did suffer serious cuts to his head during the assault, according to police.

Police said they think the couple was targeted by the robbers.

The shooting has folks who live nearby on edge.

One woman told CBS 6 News’ Shelby Brown that the incident has made them more aware.

“And the disappointment is just that guns are in the hands of the wrong people,” she said. “And who they use them on? A lot of them are innocent, unfortunately.”

Jeanne Boisineau, who also lives in the neighborhood, said she never thought something like this would be a problem since it is such a safe and close-knit community.

“But then When you hear of something like this, your heart goes out to [the victims], you’re angry at the folks that did it… and you just feel so horrible for the family.”

Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call Detective Christina Benkahla at (804) 646-6795 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.